Hours previously, members of St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh celebrated the club becoming the Dublin Senior B Hurling champions on Friday evening – the first time they had won the championship in 16 years.

The clubhouse was full with players, members, family and friends enjoying the team’s victory.

However, on Saturday morning, after everyone had left, a group of raiders made their way into the premises by smashing through the building’s rear door.

Sources have revealed that an alarm switch connected to a back door may have been interfered with, allowing the thieves to enter the clubhouse without triggering the alarm.

“It seems that the alarm may have been tampered with and the alarm system knocked off.

“The clubhouse was locked on Friday night, but they still managed to gain access,” the source said.

The break-in was noticed when club members arrived the following morning to open the premises, which is based just off the Navan Road on Dublin’s northside.

It is believed the raiders made off with around €12,000 in cash, which would have included the previous night’s takings.

Money from a small fundraiser held in the club following Dublin’s All-Ireland Final victory over Kerry is also believed to have been taken.

Damage

Substantial damage was also caused to the rear-door during the break-in.

The cost of replacing this door and a roller-shutter could run into “several thousand euro”.

Officers from Cabra Garda Station are investigating the burglary, and are examining CCTV footage, but no arrests have yet been made.

However, a source admitted that “not much may come of” the CCTV footage, given the nature of the break-in.

“The raiders wore gloves, so there was no forensic evidence left, and it seems they had a good knowledge of where everything was inside the clubhouse.

“There is a probability that they covered their faces as well, at least from the cameras within the property, so the chances of identifying the burglars through camera footage are slim,” the source said.

St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh declined to comment on the incident when contacted by the Herald last night.

Gardai are appealing for anyone with information in relation to the robbery to contact them at Cabra Garda Station.